August 2, 2018, the President's signature marked the exciting finale of nearly a decade of efforts to protect Montana's East Rosebud Creek from hydropower development and other impacts. Twenty miles of this beautiful stream were designated as a Wild and Scenic River as it flows from the rugged Beartooth Mountains between Big Timber and Red Lodge, Montana. East Rosebud is treasured by local residents, paddlers, anglers, hikers, and other visitors. 

The designation comes on the 50th anniversary year of the beloved Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and marks the first such designation in Montana since 1976. The legislation benefited from active and skilled bi-partisan support from the entire Montana delegation over the past several years. We can’t thank Senators Tester and Daines, and Congressman Gianforte enough for their support for protecting East Rosebud Creek. 

American Whitewater joined partners and local citizens to fight a proposed dam on East Rosebud Creek in 2009, as well as dams on other nearby rivers. This effort evolved into a movement to permanently protect East Rosebud and other Montana streams with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which prevents hydropower dams in perpetuity. Local citizens organized as Friends of East Rosebud to champion the local cause, and worked tirelessly to secure designation. They did so in concert with the statewide coalition Montanans for Healthy Rivers. As a steering committee member of Montanans for Healthy Rivers, American Whitewater has actively worked to advocate for protection of East Rosebud Creek since 2010. 

In addition to the Montana Congressional delegation, we would like to voice our sincere thanks and congratulations to the Friends of East Rosebud, American Rivers, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Pacific Rivers Council, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Beartooth Paddlers Society, and the many other groups and individuals we’ve worked closely with on protecting East Rosebud Creek. We’d also like to recognize all the individuals who wrote letters and made calls to their political representatives, and send a special thank you to Patagonia, KEEN Footwear, REI, and the Cinnabar Foundation for supporting American Whitewater’s role in designating our nation's newest Wild and Scenic River!

You can Take Action today to thank Congress for passing East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and ask for continued leadership in protecting more rivers that currently have Wild and Scenic River bills pending in Congress.